Average American Life Expectancy Drops with Rise in Suicide Rates

The average American life expectancy has gone down, thanks to a rise in the rate of drug overdoses and suicides, which have increased the number of deaths in the United States. Continue reading to learn more about this disturbing trend.

Some Numbers to Put Things in Perspective

According to CTV News saw nearly 3 million deaths in the United States. What’s worse is that the total amount of deaths was almost 70,000 more than the number for 2016. And, on top of that, the 2.8 million deaths of 2017 was actually the highest number of deaths in a year since the number of annual deaths has been counted for over 100 years.

Reasons for the Rise in Deaths

There are a few reasons why so many more people have been dying in a year, compared to the past. First off, a good portion of the population is aging, and the population on a whole is growing. However, another scary reason why the number of deaths is on the rise is because more young people are dying as well. The deaths of middle-aged individuals, in particular, have been affecting the numbers, as well as the average American life expectancy.

Suicide rates are also increasing. In 2017, the suicide rate was actually the highest that it had been in 50 years. While 45,000 suicides were counted in 2016, 2017 saw 47,000 suicides.

Also, accidental drug overdoses are often to blame, as they make up more than 1/3 of unintentional injury deaths. But intentional drug overdoses are an issue as well, accounting for roughly one-tenth of all suicides.

Seek Help If You Need It

Although the news about the average American life expectancy is bleak, there is always the possibility that things will turn around for the better in the years to come. If you are in need of help because you are using drugs, or you have suicidal thoughts, rest assured that there are many experts and support groups that you can turn to in order to gain control again, and there’s absolutely no shame in seeking help.